Flat bed rib knitting machines



June 6, 1967 B. A. MONK 3,323,330

FLAT BED RIB KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 24, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 June6, 1967 B. A. MONK 3,323,330

FLAT BED RIB KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 24, 1964 7 Sheets'v-Sh eet 2W: M m 0 .zr 4am a:

June 6, MONK FLAT BED RIB KNITTING MACHINES '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug.24, 1964 June 6, 1967 NK 3,323,330

FLAT BED RIB KNITTING MACHINES Filed g 24, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June6, 1967 -B. A. MONK FLAT BED RIB KNITTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Aug. 24, 1964 June 6, 1967 Filed Aug. 24, 1964 B. A MONK FLAT BEDRIB KNITTING MACHINES '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 WWW - flaw/mar 914%; I

June 6, 1967 B. A. MONK 3,323,330

FLAT BED RIB KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 24, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 7F76] Etou 1N6 vnfi g 6- -T4NK V. I

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mNK 1 THNK M L 5 .B Y M ,JAZZM/X M United States Patent 3,323,330 FLATBED RIB KNITTING MACHINES Brian Arthur Monk, Linby, England, assignor toS. A. Monk (Sutton-in-Ashfield) Limited, Sutton-in-Ashfield, England, acompany of Great Britain Filed Aug. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 391,488 Claimspriority, application Great Britain, Aug. 29, 1963, 34,213/ 63 11Claims. (CI. 6682) This invention relates to flat bed knitting machinesand is concerned particularly with a drive mechanism for the cam boxes,or alternatively the slur cocks, of such machines.

Carn boxes or slur cocks are provided to reciprocate lengthwise of the,or each, needle bed to actuate the needles and will hereinafter bereferred to as the needle actuating means.

According to the present invention, in a flat bed knitting machine theneedle actuating means are operated by electro-hydraulic means, theelectro-hydraulic circuit including switch devices, operated viavariable limit determining means, for controlling the movement, and thestroke, of the needle actuating means.

Preferably, the variable limit determining means comprise cam-actuatedroller contacts mounted on convenient parts of the machine, e.g. thefashioning screw nut housings or the selvedge needle selection means,the positions of which are manually or automatically varied according tothe knitting width required, the roller contacts being slidably mountedon operating rods which are angularly rotatable to actuate the switchdevices which control hydraulic valves.

The invention is illustrated by way of example, as applied to amulti-head flat bed knitting machine having a central control divisionand a plurality of knitting divisions, in the accompanying drawings, inwhich,

FIGURE 1a, 1b and 1c are front elevational view shOW- ing part of thecontrol division incorporating the drive mechanism and parts of twoassociated knitting divisions.

FIGURE 2 is a half end elevation corresponding to FIGURE 1, lb, and 10,

FIGURE 3 is a hydraulic circuit layout diagram,

FIGURE 4 is an electric circuit diagram,

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a typical brakingvalve,

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a typical pressureoperated distributor valve, 1

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic sectionalview through a typical pilot valve,

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a typical safetyvalve, and

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a typical bypassvalve.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown generally in FIGURES l and 2the main support framework F of the knitting division of the machine,needle beds N arranged in adjacent knitting divisions, a cam box Cassociated with one of the needle beds N, driven means D by which thecam boxes C are reciprocated relative to the needle bed, a connectingbar B for coupling the driven means D with cam boxes C, and nut housingH normally used for positioning fashioning mechanisms (not shown) forfashioning the selvedges of the garment piece being knitted, said nuthousing being mounted for lengthwise movement on L.H. and RH. fashioningscrews S.

The above description covers known features in a multi-head knittingmachine and the invention will be de scribed with reference to a machinehaving such features.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cam plate5 which may be formed in one or more ice sections and is fixedly securedto the driven means D, reciprocated and positioned by a conventionalreversible hydraulic motor 6- (FIGURES 1c and 3) coupled thereto in aconventional manner to be described in more detail hereinafter, thateffect reciprocation of the needle actuating means, e.g. cam boxes C forslur cocks, over the needle beds N. The cam plate 5' is adapted,according to its direction of movement, to enter into engagement witheither a roller 7 or a roller 8, the rollers being keyed to, butslidably mounted on, operating rods 9 and 10. The rollers 7, 8 form partof attachments which are fixed to the respective nut housings H of L.H.and RH. fashioning screws S, it being understood that the rollers 7, 8with the nut housings H are moved lengthwise of the fashioning screws Saccording to the knitting width required.

During movement of the driven means D and thus also of the needleactuating means C from left to right of FIGURE 1, angular rotation ofthe operating rod 9', due to displacement of the roller 7 by the camplate 5, is effective to actuate, via a linkage 13, a braking switch 14which energises a solenoid 15 (FIGURES 3 and 4) and causes operation ofa braking valve 16- (FIGURE 3) which, via a pressure reducing valve 17,directs fluid under pressure to a main slide valve 18, which is coupleddirectly to the motor 6, to slow down the speed of movement of the camplate 5 and thus also of the needle actuating means C and the drivemeans D.

Angular movement of the rod 9 is also effective to operate a change-overswitch 19 (FIGURES 1b, 2 and 4) which operates to (FIGURES 3 and 4)de-energise a solenoid 20 controlling a pilot slide valve 21 (FIGURE 3)for effecting movement of the cam 5 and the needle actuating means Cfrom left to right, and to energise a solenoid 22 (FIGURES 3 and 4)controlling a second pilot slide valve 23 (FIGURE 3) for causing returnmovement of the cam 5 and the needle actuating means C, Le. from rightto left. Operation of the change-over or reversing switch 19 is effectedby a connecting rod 24 (FIGURE lb) which, at one end, is pivotallyconnected to a lever 25 secured to the operating rod 9, and at its otherend, is pivotally connected to one arm of a bellcrank lever 26, theother arm of which is connected, via a secondary connecting rod 27, to alink 28 which actuates the switch 19.

Obviously, the braking switch 14 and the reversing switch 19 must beoperated in sequence, and for this purpose, the cam plate 5 is ofstepped formation to provide two operating faces 29 and 341 (FIGURE 1c),the face 29 serving to turn the rod 9 through a small angle to operatethe braking switch 14, and the face 30 serving to turn the rod 9 througha greater angle to operate the reversing switch 19.

In the event of failure of the reversing switch 19, or its associatedvalves, the roller '7 will override the cam face 30 and this will resultin still further rotation of the rod 9 which causes one arm of thebellcrank lever 26 to operate, via a collared spindle 31 (FIGURE lb), :1safety stop valve 32 which is normally inoperative.

The operation during movement of the cam plate 5 and the needleactuating means C, and thus also the driven means D, from light to leftof FIGURES 1a and 1b is the same as that described above, cam faces 29'and 30 engaging the roller 8 to operate, via linkage 13, a brakingswitch 33, and thus also the solenoid 15 and braking valve 16, and, vialinkage 24 to 27', the link 28 which engages the reversing switch 19. Itwill be seen that the link 28 and the switch 19 are common to bothdirections of movement, the switch being of the over-centre type so thatactuation of the switch by the link 28, which pivots about the switchcentre, can be eflected by either linkage system. Furthermore, the

safety stop valve 32 is also common to both directions of movement.

In order to provide slow running of the cam 5 and the .needle actuatingmeans C throughout the length of each stroke, which is sometimesdesirable, a further switch 34 (FIGURE 4) is provided in the circuit,this switch being operable to energize the solenoid continually so thatthe braking valve 16 (FIGURE 3) is continually operated. Such arequirement is made necessary to meet certain knitting operations wherehigh speed is detrimental.

Furthermore, in order to prevent damage to the drive motor 6, in theevent of an obstruction preventing propor operation of the machine, e.g.breakage of a needle, an overload valve (FIGURE 3) is provided in thehydraulic circuit.

When it is necessary or advisable, to move the needle actuating means Cmanually, a by-pass valve 36 (FIG- URE 3) is provided to short-circuitthe pressure-fluid lines and to allow free circulation of the fluid.

In order to stop the needle actuating means exactly at the end of astroke for fashioning purposes, or for any other purpose, switches 37,38 and 39, (FIGURE 4) are provided in the lines supplying current to thesolenoids 20: and 22. Assuming again that the needle actuating means aretravelling from left toright and solenoid 20 is energised, and it isrequired to stop at the end of that particular stroke, either pair ofswitches 37, 38 or 39, 40 are opened during the stroke, but theactuating means continue to travel due to the fact that there is analternative source of supply to the solenoid 20 from switch 33, and itis only when the switch 19 changes over at the end of the stroke thatthe actuating means C stop. It will be seen, therefore, that theswitches 14 and 33 serve two purposes; firstly they serve to operate thebraking valve 16 and secondly they provide an alternative current supplyto the solenoids 20* and 22 when the switches 37, 38 or 39, 40 areopened to stop the needle actuating means at the end of a stroke.

The general structure of the invention and the operation thereof hasbeen set forth above without specific reference as to the manner inwhich the driven means D are driven from the reversible motor 6 or as tothe specific construction of the various control valves. These areconventional elements, but a detailed description thereof is believed tobe desirable at this time so that one may have a full understanding asto how to carry out the invention.

As shown in FIGURES 1a, 1b and 1c, the reversible motor 6 in driven, inthe manner previously described, by fluid under pressure which entersthrough the pipe or the pipe 51 according to the direction in which themotor 6 is to rotate.

The motor 6 has a drive spindle 52 to which a sprocket 53 is fixed forrotation therewith. The sprocket 53 drives, through a chain 54, asprocket 55 mounted on a shaft 56. The shaft 56 has secured thereto forrotation there- With a second sprocket 57 which drives an endless chain58 which is passed over guide sprockets 59 and 60 and over a tensionsprocket 61. The driven means D is coupled to the chain 58 at 62 and iscaused to reciprocate in the manner and at the speed dictated by themotor 6.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 through 9 of the drawings, it will be seen.that there are illustrated the specific details of the variousconventional hydraulic valves which form parts of the hydraulic systemof this invention, and which details of the hydraulic valves will now hedescribed.

The details of the braking valve 16 are found in FIGURE 5. The brakingvalve 16 comprises a housing 63 having a port 64 which is connected tothe main pressure line for receiving fluid under pressure therefrom, aport 65 leading to the reducing valve 17 and a port 66 which isconnected to the tank or reservoir from which the supply of fluid forthe hydraulic system is obtained. A plunger 67 operated by the solenoid15 is provided with a piston head or valve element 68 Which is slidablein the housing 63. In the position shown in FIGURE 5, the braking valve16 is inoperative. When it is desired to operate the valve for thepurposes hereinbefore described, the solenoid 15 is effected to move thevalve element 68 into the position shown in dotted lines so that thefluid under pressure is passed through the port 65 to the reducing valve17.

As is shown in FIGURE 6, the main slide valve or distributor valve 18comprises a housing 69 having a port 70 connected to one side of themotor 6, a port 71 connected to the other side of the motor 6, a port 72connected to the main pressure line by way of the reducing valve 17 andthe braking valve 16, and a port 73 connected to the safety valve 32. Apiston rod 74 having a valve element or piston head 75 fixed thereto ispositioned within the housing 69' so that its ends extend respectivelyinto a cylinder block 76 and a cylinder bloc-k 77. The bore of thecylinder block 76 is connected to the valve 21 while the bore of thecylinder block 77 is connected to the valve 23. In the position shown inFIGURE 6, main pressure [fluid is being passed through the port 70 todrive the motor 6 in one direction. When it is desired to reverse thedirection of rotation of the motor 6, the valves 21 and 23 are operatedso that fluid unde pressure is applied to the end of the piston rod 74in the block 77 and the pressure previously applied to the end of thepiston rod 4 through the valve 21 is released. This causes the valveelement 75 to move into the dotted line position so that fluid underpressure is passed through the port 71 to the opposite side of the motor6, thereby reversing the direction of rotation thereof.

The details of a valve typical of the valves 21 and 23 are shown inFIGURE 7. For descriptive purposes, only the valve 21 will be described,although the valve 23 will be of identical construction. The valve 21comprises a housing 78 having a port 79 connected to the main pressureline, a port 80 connected to the valve 18 for controlling the operationthereof, and two ports 81 and 82 both of which are connected to the tankor reservoir. The port 81 is connected by means of a bypass passage 83to a secondary port opening out into the base of the housing. A pistonrod 78 having two spaced valve elements or piston heads 85 and 86 ismounted within the housing 78. In the position shown in the drawing, thevalve 21 is operative to allow fluid under pressure to pass to the valve18 and to allow communication between the ports 81 and 82 by the bypasspassage 83. In the inoperative position of the valve 21, where the valveelements are moved into the positions shown in dotted lines, it will 'beseen that the fluid under pressure is bypassed to the tank or reservoirby the port 81 and that fluid returned from the valve 18 is passedthrough the tank or reservoir via the port 82. In this position thepassage 83 is blocked by the valve element '86. It is to be understoodthat the valves 21 and 23 are mirror images of one another and that, inoperation, the valve elements of one valve are always in the oppositionposition to those of the other valve, i.e. one is operative and theother is inoperative.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, it will be seen that the safety valve 32comprises a housing 88 having a port 89 connected to the valve 18 and aport 90 connected to the tank or reservoir. A plunger 91 having a valveelement or a piston head 92 is mounted in the housing 88 with a free endof the plunger 91 being coupled to the collared spindle 31 for operationby the bellcrank lever 26 in the manner hereinbefore described. In theposition shOWn in the drawing, the valve 32 is inoperative. However, inorder to release pressure in the valve 18 and thus in the systemgenerally, the valve element 92 is moved into the dotted line positionthereof so that the fluid passes through the port 90 to the tank orreser voir.

The bypass valve 36 is illustrated in FIGURE 9 as comprising a housing93 having ports 94 and 95 connected to the tank or reservoir and ports96 and 97 connected to the hydraulic motor 6. A piston rod 98 whichextends beyond both ends of the housing 93 is provided with a valveelement or piston head 99 which is of a length to cover both of theports 96 and 97 at the same time. If it is desired to move the actuatingmeans C manually, either end of the piston rod 98 may be depressed tomove the valve element 99 in either direction as indicated by the arrow100 so that either the port 96 is in communicaion with the port 94 orthe port 97 'is in communication with the port 94 thereby bypassing thepressure fluid. The valve element 99 is biased into an inoperativeposition by a coil spring 101 and the port 95 is provided to allow anyfluid in the housing to flow back to the tank or reservoir.

It is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to thespecific valves of FIGURES 5 through 9, and any other conventionalvalves which will function in the same manner may be substitutedtherefor;

It will be seen, therefore, that the invention provides a simple butefiicient means for accurately controlling the stroke of the needleactuating means in that, by simply varying the positions of the rollers7 and'8 according to the knitting width required, the needle actuatingmeans are slowed down and reversed, or are caused to move slowlythroughout their stroke and are reversed, at the end of their stroke.Furthermore, the electrical circuit is particularly advantageous in thatit has been designed to use as few electrical components as possible inorder to ensure reliability. In this respect, it will be noted that norelays whatsoever are used in the main drive circuit.

It will be obvious that the invention is applicable with specialreference to multi-head knitting machines since it provides a simplemanner in which to control the needle actuating means of all theknitting divisions simultaneously from a single control division.

What I claim is:

1. A multi-head full fashioned flat bed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control division to carry out reciprocatory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting divisions and operatively connected to said driven means,fashioning mechanisms arranged in each of said knitting divisions,adjustable means opera tively connected to said fashioning mechanismsthe positions of which determine the knitting width of a garment piece,said driven means being operated by electrohydraulic means which includea hydraulic circuit, valves arranged in said hydraulic circuit forcontrolling the speed and direction of movement of said driven means,mechanically operated electric switch means connected to pilot valves insaid hydraulic circuit for reversing the direction of movement of saiddriven means, and variable limit determining means for controlling thestroke of said driven means.

2. A multi-head full fashioned fiat bed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control division to carry out reciprocatory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting divisions and operatively connected to said driven means,fashioning mechanisms arranged in each of said knitting divisions,adjustable means operatively connected to said fashioning mechainsms thepositions of which determine the knitting width of a garment piece, saiddriven means being operated by electro-hydraulic means which include ahydraulic circuit, valves arranged in said hydraulic circuit forcontrolling the speed and direction of movement of said driven means,mechanically operated electric switch means for actuating brak ingvalves in said hydraulic circuit when said driven means is nearing theend of a stroke, mechanically operated electric switch means connectedto pilot valves operating said reversing valves in said hydrauliccircuit for changing the direction of movement of said driven means, andvariable limit determining means for controlling the stroke of saiddriven means.

3. A multi-head full fashioned fiat bed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control division to carry out reciprocatory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting divisions and operatively connected to said driven means,fashioning mechanisms arranged in each of said knitting divisions, nuthousings adjustably mounted on LH. and RH. fashioning screws andoperatively connected to said fashioning mechanisms for determining theknitting width of a garment piece, said driven means being operated byelectro-hydraulic means which include a hydraulic circuit havinghydraulic valves for controlling the speed and direction of movement ofsaid driven means, mechanically operated electric switch means foractuating braking valves in said hydraulic circuit when said drivenmeans is nearing the end of a stroke, mechanically operated electricswitch means connected to pilot valves operating said reversing valvesin said hydraulic circuit for changing the direction of movement of saiddriven means, and variable limit determining means for controlling thestroke of said driven means, said limit determining means consisting ofa cam plate secured to and movable with said driven member, and acontact roller mounted on each of said nut housings for engagement bysaid cam plate during movement of the latter, said rollers beingoperatively coupled to said electric switch means.

4. A multi-head full fashioned fiat bed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control division to carry out reciprocatory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting divisions and operatively connected to said driven means, apair of spaced co-operating adjustable means the positions of whichdetermine the knitting width of a garment piece, said driven means beingoperated by electrohydraulic means which include a hydraulic circuithaving hydraulic valves for controlling the speed and direction ofmovement of said driven means, mechanically operated electric switchmeans for actuating braking valves in said hydraulic circuit when saiddriven means in nearing the end of a stroke, mechanically operatedelectric switch means connected to pilot valves operating said reversingvalves in said hydraulic circuit for changing the direction of movementof said driven means, and variable limit determining means forcontrolling the stroke of said driven means, said limitdeterminingrneans consisting of a cam plate secured to and movable'withsaid driven member, and a contact roller mounted on each of saidadjustable means for engagement by said cam plate during movement of thelatter, said rollers being operatively coupled to each of said electricswitch means. g

5. A multi-head full fashioned flatbed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control divison to carry out reciprocatory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting divisions and operatively connected to said driven means, apair of spaced co-operating adjustable means the positions of whichdetermine the knitting Width of a garment piece, said driven means beingoperated by electrohydraulic means which include a hydraulic circuithaving hydraulic valves for controlling the speed and direction ofmovement of said driven means, mechanically operated electric switchmeans for actuating braking valves in said hydraulic circuit when saiddriven means is nearing the end of a stroke, mechanically operatedelectric switch means connected to pilot valves operating said reversingvalves in said hydraulic circuit for changing the direction of movementof said driven means, and variable limit determining means forcontrolling the stroke of said driven means, said limit determiningmeans consisting of a cam plate secured to and movable with said drivenmember, and a contact roller mounted on each of said adjustable meansfor engagement by said cam plate during movement of the latter, anangularly rotatable operating rod associated with each of said rollersand to which said contact rollers are keyed in such manner as to allowlengthwise movement thereof relative to said operating rods whilepermitting of angular rotation of said rods to take place under theaction of said rollers, a first linkage extending between each of saidoperating rods and said switch means for actuating said braking valves,and a second linkage extending between each of said operating rods andsaid electric switch means operating asid reversing valves.

6. A multi-head full fashioned flat bed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control division to carry out reciprocat-ory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting divisions and operatively connected to said driven means, apair of spaced co-operating adjustable means the positions of whichdetermine the knitting width of a garment piece, said driven means beingoperated by electrohydrauhe means which include a hydraulic circuithaving hydraulic valves for controlling the seed and direction ofmovement of said driven means, mechanically operated electric switchmeans for actuating braking valves in said hydraulic circuit when saiddriven means is nearing the end of a stroke, mechanically operatedelectric switch means connected to pilot valves operating said reversingvalves in said hydraulic circuit for changing the direction of movementof said driven means, and variable limit determining means forcontrolling the stroke of said driven means, said limit determiningmeans consisting of a cam plate secured to and movable with said drivenmember, a contact roller mounted on each of said adjustable means forengagement by said cam plate during movement of the latter, an angularlyrotatable operating rod associated with each of said rollers and towhich said contact rollers are keyed in such manner as to allowlengthwise movement thereof relative to said operating rods whilepermitting of angular rotation of said rods to take place under theaction of said rollers, a first linkage extending between each of saidoperating rods and said switch means for actuating said braking valves,and a second linkage extending between each of said operating rods andsaid electric switch means operating said reversing valves said camplate being of steppe-d formation so that said contact rollers areadapted to cause angular rotation of said control rods into at least twodistinct positions, movement into a first position causing via saidfirst linkage actuation of said braking valves, and movement into asecond position causing via said second linkage actuation of saidreversing valves.

7. A multi-head full fashioned flat bed knitting machine comprising aplurality of knitting divisions, a control division, driven meansarranged in said control divisions to carry out reciprocatory movementlengthwise of the machine, needle actuating means arranged in saidknitting O divisions and operatively connected to said driven means, apair of spaced co-operating adjustable means the posi-' tions of whichdetermine the knitting width of a garment piece, said driven means beingoperated by electro-hydraulic means which include a hydraulic circuithaving hydraulic valves for controlling the speed and direction ofmovement of said driven means, a mechanically operated electric switchassociated with each of said adjustable means for actuating brakingvalves in said hydraulic circuit when said driven means is nearing theend of a stroke, a mechanically operated electric switch common to bothof said adjustable means connected to pilot valves operating saidreversing valves in s-aid hydraulic circuit for changing the directionof movement of said driven means, and variable limit determining meansfor controlling the stroke of said driven means, said limit determiningmeans consisting of a cam plate secured to and movable with said drivenmember, a contact roller mounted on each of said adjustable means forengagement by said cam plate during movement of the latter, an angularlyrotatable operating rod associated with each of said rollers and towhich said contact rollers are keyed in such manner as to allowlengthwise movement thereof relative to said ope-rating rods whilepermitting of angular rotation of said rods to take place under theaction of said rollers, a first linkage extending between each of saidoperating rods and said switch means for actuating said braking valves,and a second linkage extending between each of said operating rods andsaid electric switch means operating said reversing valves, said camplate being of stepped formation so that said contact rollers areadapted to cause angular rotation of said control rods into at least twodistinct positions, movement into a first position causing via saidfirst linkage actuation of said braking valves, and movement into asecond position causing via said second linkage actuation of saidreversing valves.

8. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 7, including switch means forcausing continuous operation of said braking valves so that said drivenmeans moves slowly throughout the length of its stroke.

9. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 8, including switch means forstopping the movement of said driven means at the end of a stroke.

10. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 9, including an overloadvalve which becomes operative to isolate the drive motor in the event ofmechanical failure of the machine.

11. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 10, including a by-pass valveto permit of manual operation of said driven means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,977,729 10/ 1934 Lieberknecht66-82 2,442,822 6/ 1948 Monk 66-82 2,939,304 6/ 1960 Kreienbuhl et al66-126 3,089,322 5/1963 Bruce et al. 66-154 3,158,013 11/1964 Monday66-56 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,050 7/ 1897 Great Britain.

r MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

R. FELDBAUM, Assistant Examiner,

1. A MULTI-HEAD FULL FASHIONED FLAT BED KNITTING MACHINE COMPRISING APLURALITY OF KNITTING DIVISIONS, A CONTROL DIVISION, DRIVEN MEANSARRANGED IN SAID CONTROL DIVISION TO CARRY OUT RECIPROCATORY MOVEMENTLENGTHWISE OF THE MACHINE, NEEDLE ACTUATING MEANS ARRANGED IN SAIDKNITTING DIVISIONS AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVEN MEANS,FASHIONING MECHANISMS ARRANGED IN EACH OF SAID KNITTING DIVISIONS,ADJUSTABLE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FASHIONING MECHANISMS THEPOSITIONS OF WHICH DETERMINE THE KNITTING WIDTH OF A GARMENT PIECE, SAIDDRIVEN MEANS BEING OPERATED BY ELECTROHYDRAULIC MEANS WHICH INCLUDE AHYDRAULIC CIRCUIT, VALVES ARRANGED IN SAID HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT FORCONTROLLING THE SPEED AND DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID DRIVEN MEANS,MECHANICALLY OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS CONNECTED TO PILOT VALVES INSAID HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT FOR REVERSING THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAIDDRIVEN MEANS, AND VARIABLE LIMIT DETERMINING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THESTROKE OF SAID DRIVEN MEANS.